Named as one of U.S. Latino filmmakers with directorial debuts to watch out for

— Chicana From chicago Blog

Daniel Maldonado

Writer Director Producer

Daniel is a multi award winning filmmaker who through the early exploration of identity, found his reality through the lenses of contrast. Since then he's found success in the many genres he's crossed.

While attending the School Of Visual Arts & working for legendary NY producer Ben Barenholtz (BARTON FINK), Daniel’s persistence paid off earning him several Kodak film grants as well as acceptance into the prestigious Actor’s Studio observation program. During these formative years he wrote/produced and directed several diversified short films. This includes his first short “BUTTERCUP”, which toured German movie theaters as part of the “BLUE HEARTS OF N.Y.” traveling festival of short films (distributed by MOP Distribution, Germany.)

Since then, Daniel's short films have earned recognition at festivals & exhibitions both in the U.S. & internationally. He finished the festival circuit in 2011 showcasing LALO, which garnered the award for BEST SHORT FILM at the HBO/NY Latino International Film Festival and went on to be licensed and nationally broadcast on the SiTV/Nuvo Tv cable network later that year.

Daniel also continues to showcase his experimental works in galleries & museums. Most recently his work with composer Mike Vernusky was featured at Rome’s Maxxi Museum BNL. He also completed his first narrative feature, H.O.M.E. starring Imagen winner Jeremy Ray Valdez, Broadway’s Angela Lin and Mexican Ariel winning actor, Jesús Ochoa. Produced by Darren Dean (The Florida Project), the film premiered at the Museum Of Moving Image in NYC and has gone on screen at over 25 international festivals with nominations from Cinema Tropical to several awards for Best Feature & Best Director.

Currently, Daniel has a several shorts including a commission on tap for 2019. He also has a new feature screenplay set in Puerto Rico which is entering into an early development stage. In addition, Daniel works in production and has contributed to the production design of many films such Sundance hits Crown Heights and The Farewell.